Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Hanseatic League, Blessed by Cod
Middlemen in trade, the clever German merchants of the Hanseatic
League ruled the waves of northern Europe for 500 years (c. 1250-1750).
These sea-traders first banded together in a
Hanse
, or merchant guild, to
defendthemselves againstpirates.AstheyspreadoutfromGermany,they
established trading posts in foreign lands, cut deals with local leaders for
trading rights, built boats and wharves, and organized armies to protect
ships and ports.
By the 15th century, these merchants had organized more than a hun-
dred cities into the Hanseatic League, a free-trade zone that stretched from
London to Russia. The League ran a profitable triangle of trade: Fish from
Scandinavia was exchanged for grain from the eastern Baltic and luxury
goods from England and Flanders. Everyone benefited, and the German
merchants—the middlemen—reaped the profits.
At its peak in the 15th century, the Hanseatic League was the dominant
force—economic, military,andpolitical—in northernEurope.Thiswasan
age when much of Europe was fragmented into petty kingdoms and duke-
doms. Revenue-hungry kings and robber-baron lords levied chaotic and
extortionisttollsandduties.Piratesplaguedshipments.ItwastheHanseat-
ic League, rather than national governments, that brought the stability that
allowed trade to flourish.
Bergen's place in this Baltic economy was all about cod—a form of
protein that could be dried, preserved, and shipped anywhere. Though
cursed by a lack of natural resources, the city was blessed with a good har-
bor conveniently located between the rich fishing spots of northern Nor-
way and the markets of Europe. Bergen's port shipped dried cod and fish
oil southward and imported grain, cloth, beer, wine, and ceramics.
Bryggen was one of four principal Hanseatic trading posts
(Kontors)
,
along with London, Bruges, and Novgorod. It was the last
Kontor
opened
(c. 1360), the least profitable, and the final one to close. Bryggen had
